A footballer’s ability to reimagine oneself has become an increasingly vital part of the modern game.
In order to extend one’s career enough to maximise chances of winning silverware, become a club legend and to get the most out of what is already a very short career, players are having to find ways to reinvent themselves more and more.
Just look at Cristiano Ronaldo – the Real Madrid star was once a flamboyant winger but is now one of the best out-and-out centre-forwards in the game.
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So, what players should take a leaf out of “Ronnie’s” book by transforming themselves? Take a look.
#1 John Stones – DM
During his time at Everton, John Stones was a formidable central defender for a number of seasons.
An eye-catching centre-half, Stones’ positioning, timing in the challenge and calmness under pressure saw him earn widespread compliments. Then, it seemed as if the young Englishman started to feel the pressure and was put off by much of the media speculation regarding his future.
His ball-playing ability out of defence came under scrutiny, he started to make silly errors in clearing his lines as the rumours grew and grew about his future with the Toffees – but it didn’t stop his eventual transfer to Manchester City where his style has proven of use to Pep Guardiola’s philosophy.
However, it’s easy to imagine how Stones would be better off unshackling himself from the role of a central defender altogether. It’s a highly-pressurized situation, and he has proven to be error-prone when the heat has been on him. A move to a more advanced role, evolving into either a defensive midfielder or central midfielder would allow him to escape and let his technical, passing and movement abilities shine better for the Citizens – and the England national team.
After all, Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate recently went on record to give the 23-year-old’s prospects of becoming a holding midfielder a glowing review, as per the Guardian:
He’s a player who’s very comfortable receiving possession, and has all the attributes and capabilities to play as a holding midfield player. He obviously hasn’t done that yet, really, so that’s a decision we have to make. But do I believe he can play that role? Absolutely.”
#2 Alexis Sanchez – False Nine
Whatever is said about the future of Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal, what’s a little more clear is how easily he could fit into just about any team in Europe.
That’s because he’s so versatile.
Originally employed as a winger upon his arrival to the Emirates, the Chilean attacker eventually evolved into a fully-fledged centre forward for the Gunners last season, at the expense of Olivier Giroud, as Arsene Wenger looked for a quick-fix to his ‘no world-class forward’ dilemma.
It worked wonders as he bagged 24 league goals for the club.
However, Wenger himself has revealed in the recent past that Sanchez’s preferred position is out wide as a winger which raises the question: could the false nine role combine the best of both worlds, and might the offer of it be the key to keeping him at the club?
Quite possibly. In effect, it would give him the freedom to dip in and out of build-up play, afford him the mobility to drift in behind defences, coast across the forward line from wide position to wide position and ultimately allow him to dictate play. That would hardly be a bad move, considering he is their best goal-scoring threat and also one of their most creative talents. Plus, it would also make him happy – and happy players tend not to leave.
He has played in this position before, and although Gunners fans will question why anyone would propose shifting their best forward anywhere else, with Alexandre Lacazette and Kylian Mbappe still on the club’s radar, it might be time for Sanchez to revert to a role that suits him so well.
#3 Sergi Roberto – CM
Following Dani Alves’ departure from Barcelona to Juventus, Luis Enrique quickly sought to make Sergi Roberto his first-choice right back.
However, despite an encouraging start to life in defence, Roberto’s displays did not continue in that vein, and it seems as though the 25-year-old would be better off making the switch back to a more central midfield role, a position he is used to from his days at Barcelona B.
Possessing a natural affinity with the role, some reports have emerged stating that Roberto is apparently fed up with being used as a full-back and wants to return to his roots as a midfielder.
It makes sense. He’s very good at dribbling his way out of tights spots, knows how to manipulate the ball to his liking and his six La Liga assists, though not phenomenal, hints at a creative side that could come to the fore immensely in a far more advanced role.
Getting the necessary minutes with both Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets in the side will not be easy, but Roberto will just have to make do with cameo appearances. It won’t be ideal, but it could benefit the overall team chemistry, especially if manager Ernesto Valverde finds a suitable replacement at right back.
#4 Paul Pogba – CAM
A difficult first half to Paul Pogba’s debut season at Manchester United was improved considerably with the capture of both the League Cup and UEFA Europa League trophy.
The French international’s big-money move from Turin to Manchester started off with underwhelming performances and few goals, but soon saw him pick up the pace for the final stretch as the Red Devils star enjoyed an upturn in fortunes. However, he never looked 100 percent comfortable in the central midfield role in which he was cast by Jose Mourinho.
So, might a return to his more advanced attacking role prove beneficial?
Almost certainly. When he was with the Old Lady in the Serie A, Pogba played precisely this sort of position and it really did get the best out of him. The way he linked defence to attack, flowed forward with the ball at his feet and laid on assists for team-mates was a sight to behold.
Pogba plays best when he’s involved in the build-up, when he’s in the thick of the action. He’s strong, tall, powerful, nimble and extremely skilled. Removing him from the gunpowder and physicality of action around the edge of the box was probably not Mourinho’s entire plan, but Pogba was definitely more withdrawn in his first season at United than he ever was at Juve.
Pushing him further up the field would add a real backbone to United’s attacks and allow him to lay chances on for Marcus Rashford and company.
#5 Eden Hazard – False Nine
After a disappointing 2015/16 campaign, Eden Hazard is well and truly back to his best.
Undoubtedly one of the most skilful players in world football, it's surely only a matter of time before the Chelsea star gets his hands on the coveted Ballon d’Or award.
Also read: 5 reasons why Chelsea are already a favourite for UCL 2017/18
His wing wizardry is one of the best sights in modern football, but could the Belgium international also find success as a false nine for the Pensioners?
The cameos he has enjoyed in that position already tell us as much.
Deployed there a handful of times in the absence of Diego Costa last season, Hazard tore it up and laid down a marker to prove his versatility. Against both Bournemouth and Leicester City in the second half of the season, he played in the free role to great effect.
With Costa heading for the Stamford Bridge exit door, Hazard could, potentially, move there full-time next season. Michy Batshuayi, and the summer strikers who arrive, will not want that to happen, but it is a possibility.
